DEVELOPMENT OF ASPHALT RUBBER BINDER
SPECIFICATIONS IN CALIFORNIA: PROJECT UPDATE
Zia Alavi, PhD and David Jones, PhD University of California Pavement Research Center, Davis
FHWA ETG Meeting, Ames, Iowa May, 03, 2017
Outline
Background
Short-term aging
High temperature tests
Intermediate temperature tests
Low temperature tests
Way forward
Background Update on the update given at the September 2014
ETG meeting (Phase 1, lab-produced binder) Recap on asphalt rubber in California AB338 (2005) requires Caltrans to use asphalt rubber in at
least 35% of all AC placed Asphalt rubber defined as 18-22% CRM by weight of binder CRM is 100% passing #8 (2.36mm) Termed “wet process”, used in gap- & open-graded mixes Binder QC essentially only viscosity (handheld viscometer)
“Terminal blend” rubber binder considered in PG-M spec Caltrans 2015 mandate requires that all surface courses
placed below 3,000ft are asphalt rubber mixes SB1 funding
Background Phase 1 study compared concentric cylinder with
parallel plate on laboratory-produced AR binders Concern about ratio between rubber particle size and gap
influencing the result Plate gap was 1mm or 2mm depending on particle size Limited testing on 3mm and 4mm gaps due to trimming
and slump issues
Phase 1 CC vs. PP All binders
y = 0.9526x + 0.0085R² = 0.9508
425-850µmy = 0.8851x + 0.0734
R² = 0.949
250-425µmy = 1.0544x - 0.1735
R² = 0.9497
180-250µmy = 0.9552x + 0.0679
R² = 0.9963
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
G*/s
inδ
-Con
cent
ric C
ylin
der
G*/sinδ - Parallel Plate
Caltrans spec allows particles up to
2,300µm (<2.36mm)
Background Phase 2 study on plant- produced binders and mix AR binders tested with 3mm gap on 25mm and 8mm
plates Conventional binders tested with 1mm gap on 25mm
plates and 2mm gap on 8mm plates Mix testing to interpret rheological properties
Parallel studies Caltrans/Industry task group study on 3mm parallel plate
gap Round robin testing by 16 laboratories completed UCPRC tested with concentric cylinder as well Task group report in preparation
Caltrans will decide which approach to use
Phase 2 Experiment Plan
Parameter Number Progress AR binder source 5 (statewide) Tested 2 Base binder1 ?? Tested 3 AR mixes2 5 Tested 2 PM Binders (PG-M spec)1 2 Tested 2 TR Binders (PG-M spec)1 2 Tested 2
1 Control testing 2 Beam fatigue, SCB, dynamic modulus, flow number,
TSRST, etc.
Outline
Background
Short-term aging
High temperature tests
Intermediate temperature tests
Low temperature tests
Way forward
AR Mixing & Production Temps. Temperature when CRM is added to asphalt
binder plus extender oil 375°F to 440°F (190°C to 225°C)
Mix production temperature 375°F and 425°F (190°C to 218°C) Conventional mixes typically between 290°F and
320°F (143°C to 160°C)
Current RTFO testing temperature (163°C) is based on short-term aging of unmodified binders with no particulates
RTFO Test Method Limitations Current method not considered
appropriate for AR binder, because: Aging temperature does not
simulate AR binder temperature during mix production
Aging of the AR binder is non-uniform due to incomplete coating of the bottles
Quantity of binder available after aging is often insufficient for DSR and BBR testing
Proposed Changes
Test Parameter Current Proposed Temperature (°C) 163 190
Duration (minutes) 85 85
Sample size (g) 35 = to 35 of base binder1
Oven tilt (°) zero zero
1 45 grams of AR binder with 20% CRM
Modified RTFO Procedure
163°C 190°C
35 g
45 g
G*/sin(δ) at 64°C
High PG Limit
Summary Key findings Testing at 163°C does not appear to be appropriate for AR
binders due to poor bottle coating; testing at 190°C considered to be more representative
Higher binder stiffnesses at 190°C, as expected (increased high PG temperature by up to 9°C)
Larger sample volume did not significantly effect results, but did help for DSR/BBR test requirements (can be adjusted to suit)
No spillage noted with 45 gram sample (oven not tilted) Likely recommendation Dependent on remaining tests, but will probably suggest
doing RTFO test at 190°C
Outline
Background
Short-term aging
High temperature tests
Intermediate temperature tests
Low temperature tests
Way forward
High Temperature Tests Testing geometry Concentric cylinder with 17mm bob
and 6mm gap
Test methods Binder viscosity (for workability) PG grade MSCR test Frequency sweep test
Tests on both original and short-term aged binders
CC vs. PP (Unaged at 64°C)
1.4 1.6
1.4 2.
2
2.3 3.
7
1.7
7.9
19.5
1.4
1.6
1.3 2.
3
2.3 3.
7
1.6
9.2
19.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
G*/
sin(δ)
at 6
4ºC,
kP
a CC 17 mm
PP- 25 mm
CC vs. PP (Unaged at 70°C)
0.7
0.8
0.6 1.3
1.3 2.
3
1.0
4.7
12.3
0.7
0.7
0.6 1.
3
1.4
1.4
0.9
5.3
11.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
G*/
sin(δ)
at 7
0ºC
CC 17 mmPP- 25 mm
CC vs. PP (RTFO-Aged at 64°C)
4.7
3.4
2.5 4.
3 5.8
5.2
3.5
13.0
58.7
4.5
3.2
2.4 4.
5 5.4
5.5
3.5
14.5
59.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
G*/
sin(δ)
at 6
4ºC
CC 17 mmPP- 25 mm
CC vs. PP (RTFO-Aged at 70°C)
2.1
1.5
1.1 2.4 3.3
3.2
2.0 7.
7
38.0
2.0
1.4
1.1 2.
5 3.4
3.3
2.0
10.7
40.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
G*/
sin(δ)
at 7
0ºC
CC 17 mm
PP- 25 mm
CC vs. PP (% Difference @ 64°C)
1.1 3.
5 5.3
4.9
2.4
0.7
4.0
15.3
0.8
4.4 5.
8
4.1
4.0 6.
7
5.5
0.3
10.6
1.2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
% D
iffer
ence
for G
*/si
n(δ)
at 6
4ºC
OriginalRTFO
CC vs. PP (% Difference @ 70°C)
6.5
6.8 8.
7
3.3
0.9 3.
2
0.6
32.5
7.2
4.4 5.
8
4.1
4.0 6.
7
5.5
0.3
10.6
1.2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
% D
iffer
ence
for G
*/si
n(δ)
at 7
0ºC
Original
RTFO
Summary Key findings Difference between CC and PP, as
expected on 2 out of 5 samples Difference/variability appears to
depend on rubber particle size
Likely recommendation No recommendation until binder
and mix testing is complete
Outline
Background
Short-term aging
High temperature tests
Intermediate temperature tests
Low temperature tests
Way forward
Intermediate Temperature Tests Modified concentric cylinder geometry based on
study with Anton Paar Spindle with 10 mm diameter Test temperatures > 16ºC (machine limits) Tests are performed on RTFO+PAV aged binder Separate study to check whether PAV test conditions
(testing time, temperature, sample size, etc.) need to be adjusted to account for rubber particles
CC vs. PP (Aged)
5,79
0
5,36
5
8,45
5
2,02
0
809 1,18
5
1,58
5 2,54
0
2,61
5
4,80
6
5,33
0
8,05
5
1,93
2
710 1,
325
1,65
2 2,53
6
1,46
4
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
G*.
sin
(δ) a
t 25º
C (k
Pa)
CC-10 mmPP- 8 mm
CC vs. PP (Percent Difference)
18.6
0.7 4.
9
4.5
13.0
11.1
4.1
0.2
56.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% D
iffer
ence
for G
*/si
n(δ)
at 2
5ºC
Summary Key findings Difference between CC and PP on
all binders tested Shrinkage, confinement in CC? Trimming in PP?
Further testing required before conclusions can be drawn
Refinement of test method may be required
Likely recommendation No recommendation until binder
and mix testing is complete
Outline
Background
Short-term aging
High temperature tests
Intermediate temperature tests
Low temperature tests
Way forward
Low Temperature Tests Test method modification Use modified BBR mold to remedy issues associated
with pouring the AR binder and preparing a uniformly shaped beam
Use revised RTFO test method
Standard Mold
Modified Mold
Modified Mold
Standard mold Modified mold
Mod. vs. Std. (Creep Stiffness)
83 10
5
160
156
45
146
135
33
26
83 97
191
160
49
158
141
0
50
100
150
200
250
Cree
p St
iffne
ss (M
Pa)
Modified MoldStandard mold
Test Temp: -6ºC Test Temp: -18ºC Test Temp: -6ºC
Modified vs. Std. (m-value)
0.31
9
0.40
2
0.37
1
0.31
6
0.31
9 0.34
1
0.31
9
0.37
3
0.33
1
0.33
1
0.39
9
0.38
1
0.31
6
0.31
2 0.33
5
0.31
8
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
m-v
alue
Modified Mold Standard mold
Test Temp: -6ºC Test Temp: -18ºC Test Temp: -6ºC
Summary Key findings Modified mold much easier to use
and it produces better quality specimens than conventional mold
Results appear to be realistic
Likely recommendation Consider modified mold for AR
binders
Outline
Background
Short-term aging
High temperature tests
Intermediate temperature tests
Low temperature tests
Way forward
Way Forward… Complete testing of plant-produced AR binders
and mixes (3 complete, 2 in progress) Compare performance-related properties of
mixes with rheological properties of their corresponding binders (3 complete, 2 in progress)
Evaluate PG grading criteria for AR binders (i.e., what do the numbers mean?) Report, provisional test methods, interpretation,
and suggested specification language (Sept. 2017)